Overall, Family Centred Care’s core aims were to use maternal, and paternal, bonds to promote a trusted partnership between child, family and health professional; thereby minimising the potential impact of emotional and mental distress within a healthcare setting (Festini, 2014). This was in direct contrast with the view and position that nurses were the sole maternal and primary caregivers for a hospitalised child. The works of Florence Nightingale had cemented the nursing role to that of patients advocate within a medical setting, promoting trust and partnership between nurse and patient (Karimi & Alavi, 2015). Family Centred Care meant that the nurses role and position was evolving to not just caregiver and advocate; but to that of practitioner,
…show more content…
However, to ensure the best possible care, it was agreed by the medical community that while a sick child should be treated medically; any hospital admission should be kept to a minimum wherever possible to avoid unnecessary separation anxiety (Davies, 2010). The findings and theories of Bowlby bolstered the arguments for allowing more visitation from parents, encouraging an active partnership between parent and health professionals; though at this early stage there was only small steps in its implementation It was accepted that hospitalisation of a scared child, in combination with a lack of understanding of their situation due to a lower worldly awareness; could cause any anxiety to increase to the point of irrationality (Forman & Ladd, 1995). This in turn would only serve to compound and confound medical efforts to treat the child should they become more fearful, aggressive, withdrawn or uncooperative. Such behaviour and strong emotion would only prolong treatment, further increasing anxiety and stress, creating an unending negative feedback loop (Lerwick, …show more content…
It is this understanding from a humanitarian perspective that encourages nurses and health care professionals to have a moral robustness in order to minimise the potential for harm and confusion during periods of high stress and fear within a hospital setting (Kodish, 2005). Family Centred Care’s aims and goals are rooted in the very foundations and principles of patient advocacy, dignity, respect and compassion. Its acknowledgment and celebration of the wide, and wonderous, diversity that defines family units and their importance in the healing of a sick child is instrumental in advancing paediatric care and medicine to the high standards that is seen on a daily basis within children’s hospitals. It is this empathy, compassion and inclusivity that lifts Family Centred Care to the gold standard of care within paediatric medicine; and, as such, should be constantly pursued for the benefit and wellbeing of both child and
However, to ensure the best possible care, it was agreed by the medical community that while a sick child should be treated medically; any hospital admission should be kept to a minimum wherever possible to avoid unnecessary separation anxiety (Davies, 2010). The findings and theories of Bowlby bolstered the arguments for allowing more visitation from parents, encouraging an active partnership between parent and health professionals; though at this early stage there was only small steps in its implementation It was accepted that hospitalisation of a scared child, in combination with a lack of understanding of their situation due to a lower worldly awareness; could cause any anxiety to increase to the point of irrationality (Forman & Ladd, 1995). This in turn would only serve to compound and confound medical efforts to treat the child should they become more fearful, aggressive, withdrawn or uncooperative. Such behaviour and strong emotion would only prolong treatment, further increasing anxiety and stress, creating an unending negative feedback loop (Lerwick, …show more content…
It is this understanding from a humanitarian perspective that encourages nurses and health care professionals to have a moral robustness in order to minimise the potential for harm and confusion during periods of high stress and fear within a hospital setting (Kodish, 2005). Family Centred Care’s aims and goals are rooted in the very foundations and principles of patient advocacy, dignity, respect and compassion. Its acknowledgment and celebration of the wide, and wonderous, diversity that defines family units and their importance in the healing of a sick child is instrumental in advancing paediatric care and medicine to the high standards that is seen on a daily basis within children’s hospitals. It is this empathy, compassion and inclusivity that lifts Family Centred Care to the gold standard of care within paediatric medicine; and, as such, should be constantly pursued for the benefit and wellbeing of both child and